Days 1.3 , 1.4, & 1.5 Long and Cold

Our three day Route: St. Joseph to Holland to Montague to Ludington

Beautiful sunny fourth day overlooking THE LAKE at Kirk County Park

Our one-day summer morphed back into winter overnight in St. Joseph

Where day two was perfect, day three tried to compensate. Our one-day summer disappeared as winter returned. A heavy northwest wind in from the lake dropped the temperature down into the 40s making these long rides even tougher.  Days four and five got a lot better as the sun came out, but the days were still long. Yet despite the physical struggle, we enjoyed experiencing the unique, Michigan dune environment with its sky-high grass and tree covered piles of fine, yellow sand. While I've seen small and scattered dunes before along the lake's western shore I'd never really understood the magnitude of these ubiqutious giants. Where I come from hills are made of rock and dirt. Here they're made of sand. Different feel, different look. At intervals these piles give way to large rivers and in-land lakes all along the western shore. St. Joseph/Benton Harbor, South Haven, Saugatuck, Holland, Grand Haven … on and on it goes. So beautiful. So amazing. At PJ Hoffmaster State Park we got a little education about dunes and dune formation. At Covert County Park, Kirk County Park we got to see it up close. 

Met some lovely folks along the way. Everyone wishing us well on our journey. See our separate page: Lovely People We Have Met for a looks at their photos and a little of their stories.

Should have time to post a bit more this weekend as we have two days off the bike. Lots to think about and ponder.